Textiles and Clothing

Undergraduate Study

The program offers study for the degree of bachelor of science with a major in apparel, merchandising, and design (AMD). The program offers students a broad understanding of textile and apparel products, merchandising and marketing strategies, technical and creative design, product development, production processes, and business practices leading to a wide range of careers at state, national, and international levels in business and industry. Courses in the program provide scientific, technical, and humanistic knowledge about textiles, apparel, and related products basic to career preparation. Courses also provide knowledge applicable to the development and use of apparel and textile products by individuals, families, and institutions. The program provides a foundation for graduate study. Graduates understand the production, distribution, and use of textiles and apparel, aesthetic expression, and communication. They are prepared to plan, develop, source and present textile and apparel products to meet the needs of consumers. They understand the issues involved in textile and apparel production and marketing, both nationally and internationally. Graduates appreciate the interdependence of nations and cultures as producers and consumers of textile products.

The AMD major provides a broad-based program of study with flexibility in creating an individualized program. To complete the program, a student combines general education, AMD core classes, and structured clusters of courses to form an option in merchandising or design.

An option in merchandising prepares students for the planning, development, and presentation of market-oriented product lines and events. Career opportunities are in product development, sourcing, buying, promotion, and management in both manufacturing and retailing sectors with a focus on the textile and apparel industry. An option in creative design is appropriate for those interested in the aesthetic and creative aspects of design, product or line development, or promotion of textiles and apparel. An option in technical design prepares students for careers in technical design, apparel engineering, product development, sourcing, and quality assurance. An option in product development is appropriate for those interested in both designing and merchandising products or lines for consumer groups. Students in design have a review of their design skills (T C 301 Basic Design Concepts Review) after T C 225 Patternmaking I, T C 245 Aesthetics and Brand Image and T C 278 Fashion Illustration. The combinations of primary and secondary options allow students to individualize their programs.

For additional courses of interest, see Apparel, Educational Studies, and Hospitality Management.

Grade point requirement: All students majoring in apparel, merchandising, and design are required to earn a C– or better in all AESHM and T C courses applied toward the degree, including transfer credits.

Communication Proficiency Requirement:

Undergraduate English proficiency is certified when the student has received a grade of C or better in ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication and ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition.

Students who receive a C-, D+, D, or D– in ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication or ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition may take one of the following, with permission from English department, instead of repeating the lower-level course:

Graduate Study

The program offers work for the master of science and doctor of philosophy with a major in apparel, merchandising, and design. The program also participates in the Master of Family and Consumer Sciences degree by offering a specialization within that program. For all programs the field of study is highly interdisciplinary; programs of study are tailored to students’ background and interests.

Graduates understand how textiles and apparel are essential in meeting individual and societal needs and understand the interdependence of nations and cultures as producers and consumers. Graduates understand diverse philosophies of scholarship and apply multiple methods to creative activity, research, and teaching. Strong writing and oral communication skills help graduates dis-seminate scholarship and compete successfully for awards and grants.

Graduates accept positions relevant to their academic experience. All doctoral graduates have teaching experience. Masters and doctoral graduates have experience working in team-oriented and interactive environments. Graduates are prepared to adapt to future changes in their professions and to provide leadership in professional and public practice. They bring a strong sense of ethics to research, teaching, and business endeavors.

Program emphases for graduate study include consumer behavior; entrepreneurship; merchandising and marketing aspects of textiles and clothing; acquisition and use of textiles and apparel within cultures; U.S. dress and textiles from the 19th into the 21st centuries; textiles; social/psychological aspects of dress; aesthetics and design; product quality and development; textile conservation; and computer-aided design. The program participates in the interdepartmental gerontology minor.

Curriculum in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design

Administered by the department of Apparel, Educational Studies, and Hospitality Management. Leading to the degree bachelor of science.

Total credits required: 123 including a minimum of 18 credits in AMD at Iowa State University for the degree (12 of the 18 credits must be at the 300-400 level). The major in apparel, merchandising, and design provides a broad based program of study with flexibility in creating program options. Courses are required in general education, and textiles and clothing core. To complete the program, a student combines structured clusters of courses to form primary and secondary program options.

A minor in apparel, merchandising, and design is available; see requirements under Textiles and Clothing
, Courses and Programs.

Electives

* If Merchandising primary option, may need to select another course from approved list.

Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

T C 120. Apparel Construction Techniques.

(3-0) Cr. 3.
SS.
Analysis of and assemble components and completed garments with the use of basic sewing equipment. Learn basic construction techniques, applications and vocabulary. Students will need access to a home sewing machine, iron, computer and the internet. Not available for credit for AMD majors.

(Dual-listed with 554). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: 3 credits from Hist or Art HSurvey of history of dress from ancient times through 19th century; focus on European and North American dress. Emphasis on connection of dress to the social, cultural, environmental, and technological contexts of the Western world.
Nonmajor graduate credit.

Meets International Perspectives Requirement.

T C 356. History of Twentieth Century Fashion.

(Dual-listed with 556). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 3 credits Hist or Art H; T C 204 recommendedSurvey of major design and technological developments in 20th Century fashion. Emphasis on fashion as a system of design and production, culture of consumption, fashion change, and trends in art, society, and culture.

(Dual-listed with 526). (1-4) Cr. 3.
F.S.
Prereq: T C 301, T C 321Exploration of the creative process and sources of inspiration with emphasis on fashion presentation and line development for a variety of markets. Continued development of fashion illustration techniques, including digital illustrations. Development of digital and paper portfolio.

(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: Graduate classificationOverview of scholarship in textiles and clothing with emphasis on current and future directions. Fundamentals of writing literature reviews. Examination of ethical issues in scholarship and academic life. Introduction to creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Development of teaching units.

(Dual-listed with 426). (1-4) Cr. 3.
Repeatable. Alt. S., offered 2012.
Prereq: Permission of instructorExploration of the creative process and sources of inspiration with emphasis on fashion presentation and line development for a variety of markets. Continued development of fashion illustration techniques, including digital illustration. Development of digital and paper portfolio.

(Dual-listed with 354). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: 3 credits from Hist or Art HSurvey of history of dress from ancient times through 19th century; focus on European and North American dress. Emphasis on connection of dress to the social, cultural, environmental, and technological contexts of the Western world.
Nonmajor graduate credit.

T C 556. History of Twentieth Century Fashion.

(Dual-listed with 356). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Graduate standingSurvey of major design and technological developments in 20th Century fashion. Emphasis on fashion as a system of design and production, culture of consumption, fashion change, and trends in art, society, and culture.

(3-0) Cr. 3.
Alt. F., offered 2012.
Prereq: a course in merchandising or marketingEvaluation of key issues facing textile and apparel businesses in global markets considering ethical, economic, political, social, and professional implications. Sourcing strategies in a global environment. Corporate and consumer social responsibility and sustainability. Experience in conducting research using secondary data.

Meets International Perspectives Requirement.

T C 576. Industry Applications in Merchandising and Management.

(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: 275, 376 or equivalent. Permission of instructorUsing the case study method, students apply merchandising theory, principles, and practices to industry scenarios. Emphasis on problem solving, creative thinking, data analysis, and data interpretation involved in business operations. Focus on the development of leadership skills while functioning in small and large groups.

T C 590. Special Topics.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590A. Textile Science.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590B. History of Dress and Textiles.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590C. Textile and Apparel Design.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590D. Aesthetics.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590E. Entrepreneurship.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590F. Sociological and Psychological Aspects.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590G. Consumer Behavior.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590I. Merchandising.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590K. Cultural Analysis of Dress and Textiles.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590L. Conservation.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590M. Museums.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590N. Apparel Production Management.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590O. Technical Design.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590P. Interdisciplinary.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590Q. Quality Assurance.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590T. Public Relations and Publishing.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590U. Product Development.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 590V. Sourcing and Global Issues.

Cr. arr.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Permission of department chair and instructor(s)Individually designed textile and clothing-related projects that reflect the special interests of the student.

T C 595. Senior Design Studio.

(Dual-listed with 495). (1-4) Cr. 3.
Prereq: T C 321, T C 325, T C 526. Permission of instructorCreation of apparel lines from concept through completion. One of the lines must be submitted to juried competition.

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